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Wednesday, 3 August 2016

Someone recently asked what my favourite city is. I don't have one specific place but Chester is certainly one that holds fond memories and has played quite a part in my life. It is also a beautiful old walled city. I've blogged before about the beautiful old buildings so today I'll just mention that, on Monday, CJ and I went to Chester and decided upon a whim to visit the Chester Cathedral Falconry and Nature Gardens. I've been to a few falconries in my time and I've not been a great lover of birds in captivity.

However the visit to the falconry (CJ's blog is here) changed my view considerably. It was quite clear that the falconer, Sophie Pegg, had an amazing rapport with the birds. Instead of being poor unhappy captives I saw the birds as rescued or reared and, if a bird is capable of happiness or contentment, then the birds we saw seemed to be content or happy.

I thought that I was pretty knowledgeable about raptors and, perhaps even vultures. However the talk that Sophie gave was not just entertaining for the children and parents but also for the relative oldies like CJ (sorry CJ) and I. It also completely altered my view of vultures. They are amazing and, of course, necessary creatures.

WE have a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center. Most animals are raised back to health and then released . Some are not able to be released and kept. The owls are amazing creatures. I can understand why you were fascinated by the presentation.

Last time I went I decided to focus on the red haired, freckled handler. She was nearly as special as this lady and far more attractive than a kestrel. The Kestrel has freckles but I preferred those on the handler. I must go again, the lass was Irish and called Siobhan, good job she was far too young as I can't spell shivon. A lucky escape for both her and her raptors.

Chester certainly is a beautiful city, and also a very 'chic' one. Unfortunately my memory is tainted by a really unnecessary parking ticket, and a strange experience in a Greek restaurant. I don't imagine I'll return.

Cro if everyone who had a strange experience in a restaurant never went back to that city there'd be a few I'd not be returning to. Mind you an unnecessary parking ticket would certainly put anyone off!

I haven't been to many bird of prey centres, but my lasting memory of the one in Newent (that we went to together when we all holidayed in Hereford) was that I really liked the vultures. Must go and see some again sometime soon.

The very first school trip I ever was on was to a falconry. It was fascinating - and would have been even more so if this seven-year-old Librarian in the making would not have been so daft as to forget her newly acquired specs at home! I wasn't used to wearing them then, and did not realize I had not put them on until we arrived there and I couldn't see the birds so well when they were flying high up and far away.

Sophie looks like a very young lady, but then that says more about me getting older than about her real age, does it!

As for favourite cities, I'd say my home town (naturally) is top of the list, closely followed by Ripon which is my second home.

Meike your statement that your home town is 'naturally' your favourite home town fascinates me but is very laudable. I don't live in the city of my birth or youth and rarely return there (today being one day that I did). I like and have a great affinity with the town nearest to where I live now but it's certainly not one of my favourites as such.

Wow, I'm really impressed with your photos, especially of the birds in flight... (I think my camera would be too slow for these kinds of shots.) Brave girl to handle those big birds. Looking at pictures I always like the owls best but I suppose in reality they're as dangerous as the others. Must be something about their big heads perhaps that make us think they're cute :)

SO NEAR

We may be apart but when I look at the sky and remember that we are standing on the same earth, looking at the same moon, somehow you don't seem so far away after all.

LIFE

Life isn't about dawdling to the grave, arriving safely in an attractive, wrinkle-free body but rather an adventure that ends skidding in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, totally worn out, screaming "Yee-ha. What a ride!!"

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in the rain. (With thanks to shabby girl ofA Travelling Fish)

But what are plans other than more restrictions? (With thanks to Pauline)

Feeling young is fabulous but growing old is a blessing!!!(A comment on this blog by Jaz who used to writeTreacy Travels.)

The trick to pushing 70, GB, is to push back -- hard!!!(A comment by Carol aka Canadian Chickadee who comments but does not blog)

I am he who I am

Having lived the majority of my life in the Hebrides where my heart is, I feel I can now call myself a Hebridean. For nine years I lived half my life in New Zealand: a country I love. It was an honour being a part time Kiwi.

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